"No, Ya-jie, don't act rashly. Think of another way. I promise, there must be a way. I'll find a way to completely separate the monster's power from your body. I'll save you!"
Meng Chao had never expected that, upon returning to Dragon City, his first formal meeting with Lü Siya would confront him with such a cruel farewell.
Even with nerves tempered to steel and iron, and amplified by Spirit Magnetic Material, he could not help trembling violently.
"Stop deceiving yourself. There is no—cough, cough—no other way."
Lü Siya gazed deeply at Meng Chao. Then, gritting her teeth and exhausting the last of her strength, she pushed herself away from him.
"Stay away from me. Hah... hah... whether I wanted it or not, I am a Monster Puppet. I am the Jungle Banshee. I am the Tenth Demon God suspected of causing countless disasters!"
Her face was flushed red, wisps of flame curling around her body and giving her a translucent quality, as though she were gradually leaving this world.
"You are the man destined to take control of Dragon City and change the future, while I am merely a tainted woman corroded by monsters. Getting close to me, protecting me, saving me—none of it will do you any good. It will only drag you into gossip and muddy waters that can never be washed clean!"
"Gossip?"
Meng Chao grinned through clenched teeth. Spirit Flame bared its fangs and claws around him, while the Spirit Magnetic Material surged in response, transforming into streams of silver light. "Ya-jie, after knowing me for so long, do you really think I'm the kind of person who cares about gossip?"
"You may not care, but the Fallen Star Society, the Superstar Group, and the Blue Alliance have no choice but to care."
Lü Siya